NAS MERIDIAN & THE MISSISSIPPI COUNCIL OF THE NAVY LEAGUE HOST AC2 WHITNEY POWELL MILITARY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON
Naval Air Station Meridian in partnership with the Mississippi Council of the Navy League will host the 2026 AC2 Whtiney Powell Military Citizen of the Year Luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Weidmann’s Restaurant, 210 22nd Avenue, downtown Meridian.
The annual award honors enlisted military members who dedicate much of their personal time to community service in the local community while they are stationed at NAS Meridian. In 2025, military members contributed 3,000 hours to community service in the local area.
In 2013, the award was named in honor of Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Whitney Powell, one of the Navy’s brightest young Sailors who was well-known and extremely active in the community. Powell died in a car accident on Highway 39 North on Feb. 7, 2013.
This year’s nominees are:
Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Craig Holloway is Naval Air Station Meridian’s nominee. He is a flight planning supervisor at Air Operations responsible for the processing and transmitting of flight plans and movement messages. Petty Officer Holloway’s volunteer efforts include the East Mississippi Animal Rescue, St. Patrick Catholic Church and School, Clarkco State Park Mountain Bike Trail clean up, and a ceremony that honored a World War II Navy veteran celebrating his 100th Birthday in Waynesboro. On base, Holloway is a member of the Junior Enlisted Association which participates in Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup and the Base Beautification Project.
Sergeant Desiree Rodriguez is an Aviation Supply Instructor at Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One. She is also a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor. Sergeant Rodriguez volunteer efforts include the Full Moon on 5th, Northeast High School Game Day concession stand, Stuff the Bus with the United Way and the Salvation Army Red Kettle “Ring the Bell” campaign. On base she is a Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Case Worker and a volunteer at the Thrift Store. She is also a member of the Marine’s Color Guard team.
Logistics Specialist (Submarine) 1st Class Lbryce Smith is Naval Technical Training Center’s nominee where he served as a Logistics Specialist Instructor. His volunteer efforts included Merrehope, the Sipp and Savor Festival, Northeast Elementary Field Day, the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine at Central United Methodist Church, and the East Mississippi Veterans Park Memorial Day Ceremony. On base he served as a Suicide Prevention Coordinator and was a member of the Auxiliary Security Force. LSS1 Smith recently transferred to the USS Maine SSBN 741 based at Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor, Washington.